As coaches, we can use different formations to provide our players with a variety of experiences and learning opportunities. The 4-3-3 formation is one of the most common. But why is it so popular? In this Q&A, we discuss why certain formations are used more often than others, look at how they can aid our players’ development, and assess the benefits of the 4-3-3 formation. In This Article Why Are Some Formations More Popular than Others? Should We Teach Kids to Play in Different Systems?…
We'll help you become a great coach
step-by-step, every week.
Enter your email address below to get our free ebook - Coaching Fundamentals: Six Steps to Creating Sessions Your Players Will Love.
Trusted by
Coaching Courses
Foundations of Session Design
As coaches our goal should be to maximise the potential of our players and create a positive experience for them to enjoy.
This means understanding what they want to achieve, what they need to get there, then creating an environment which supports their goals and helps them grow.
This course is designed for coaches of all abilities. We aim to challenge your thinking, provide you with innovative ideas, and most importantly, practical solutions to implement with your players, right away.
By the time you complete the course, you will be more confident than ever of designing realistic, bespoke sessions for your players which will support their development.
Coaching Courses
Introduction to Soccer Coaching Course
We know that the majority of coaches out there are volunteers - first time coaches, who may not have a background in soccer. We also know that these coaches don't have time to spend hours and hours searching for answers online about how to effectively coach.
So we teamed up with Rob Sherman, one of the best coach educators in the world, to deliver a 100% online course that you can complete from home, in your own time, on any device.
Specifically designed for coaches working with U6 - U12 players, this course will give you a system for using the 50+ practices we provide, and putting them into a session framework to save time each week.
PDP Membership
On-Demand Coaching Lessons and Weekly Content
PDP Members can explore a massive library of on-demand coaching content, with new articles, videos, sessions and interviews published every week. PDP Membership includes:
- Coaching Guides
- PDP Session Plan library and Live Sessions
- Q&A Video Discussions
- Masterclass Discussion Videos
- Research Reviews
PLUS, You will be invited to our exclusive online Slack Community where you can ask questions, share ideas and discuss coaching, anytime.
We've helped thousands of coaches with different experience levels working with different age groups.
Now we can help you too.
Coaching Guides
Latest Free Coaching Guides
Soccer coaching can be very demanding of your time, whether you’re doing it professionally or as a volunteer — and this often makes it hard to strike a good work-life balance. In this Q&A, we discuss how to manage your time effectively, still provide the best possible experience for your players, and avoid coaching burnout. In This Article What Are Some of the Difficulties Faced By Coaches? How Can We Create Supportive Environments Within Our Clubs? How Can a Coach Effectively Manage Their Time? What…
Team talks are an important part of gameday. A good team talk will engage our players, encourage them to reflect on the game, and help them to consolidate their learning. This Q&A looks at why they’re so important and explores the different opportunities to communicate with our players on gameday — guiding us on how we can make these crucial interventions more effective. In This Article Why Do We Give Team Talks? How Can We Set Our Players Appropriate Targets? What Should I Cover in…
Slack Community
Ask Questions, Share ideas and Discuss Coaching
The PDP Slack Community is the hub for all coaching conversations - all PDP Members and Course Participants are invited to join.
Every day, the community is discussing session plans, new ideas, and supporting each other to grow as coaches. The PDP Coaching Team, are on there every day answering questions, posting content and supporting coaches.
So start your PDP Membership, or sign up for one of the PDP Coaching Academy Courses, and you'll be invited to join the conversation.